Adventures of Raghu - the world of clouds (Part 1)

“You had to pay attention. You had to pay attention to the clouds and the sky and it would reveal to you a secret, a story of the beyond.”

As Raghu laid there on the grass looking up at the sky he remembered this ancient secret. He began seeing the forms, the shapes the clouds were taking. He slowly sank into another world. The secret door to the beyond was opening up.

There it was, today after many years, the tree of life, Jeevavriksha, also known as Jeeva had appeared in the sky. Hirsek, his beloved companion and the strongest horse ever there was, was standing near him.

 It was a beautiful sunny day and they were enjoying each others company. Hirsek had lost his parents when he was very young and grew up under Jeeva’s care. He adored Jeeva and lived his life for him in every way.

Jeeva had lived his life serving others. His wisdom was widely sought by many – gods, goddesses and men and women on earth, all came to him. A long time back the goddess of clouds, Nadia had been in big trouble with the God of Winds, Vayu. 

The time Vayu had wanted to overtake the world

Vayu was keen to overtake the world with his powers and wanted to kill Nadia. At that time Nadia had sought Jeeva’s help. Jeeva had sent her on Hirsek’s back to meet Sebastian, the god of space. Sebastian who had earlier supported Vayu in whatever he did, decided to withdraw his support. Without Sebastian’s support, Vayu became weak and listless.  Nadia and Sebastian soon fell in love and betrothed. Nadia had since been ever grateful to Jeeva. To ensure that Jeeva could help people till eternity, Nadia had offered Jeeva the most beautiful and pure heart this world and the heavens had ever seen. This heart would keep Jeeva young and alive forever.

Today however it was visible, something was wrong with Jeevavriksha. He was drooping and was almost whispering into Hirsek’s ears.

A drooping Jeevavriksha

“Hirsek my heart is withering, I’m dieing” he said. “I am not able to help people the way I used to. I need to let Nadia know that my heart has failed her. Will you go dear Hirsek? It will not be easy to find her since no one knows where she lives.” For Hirsek, his life was Jeeva and he was ready to risk anything for him, but was absolutely bewildered on where to go. “Then which way should I go to find her Jeeva? “ To which Jeeva replied in his characteristic wise manner – “Go in whichever direction the wind guides you.” And so Hirsek began his journey.

The scene in the sky slowly changed. At first trees and forests were visible, then the sea, then mountains started to appear.

The journey Hirsek takes through mountains, forests and over seas

 Hirsek asked the mountains if they knew where Nadia lived. To answer him, the mountains began to move apart and out flew a beautiful white dove. Hirsek looked in awe at the dove and asked him if he knew where Nadia lived.

The white dove told Hirsek to go to the sun god, Surya, as he knew the whereabouts of the wind goddess. Hirsek knew that the only way to go to Surya was though the hole of heaven, so he went in search of that.









Finally, a beautiful wide opening appeared among the clouds. 

Hirsek quickly entered the passage to meet Surya. Surya told Hirsek that only the god of Air, Ayash and goddess of water, Dhaani, knew of Nadias whereabouts. “No one else can ever find her.” Surya told Hirsek.

So Hirsek went in search of Ayash and Dhaani to the land of the mystical lake where they both lived.

Does Hirsek find Nadia? Is he able to save Jeevavriksha's life? Read next week for more.....